First it was Jeremy Stephens, and then it was Thiago Tavares, and now finally, it’s John Cholish.

After a whirlwind week that saw him lose two potential opponents, veteran lightweight Yves Edwards (41-18-1 MMA, 9-6 UFC) now has a date with Cholish (8-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC).

They’ve agreed to fight in December at UFC on FOX 5, Edwards today told MMAjunkie.com Radio (www.mmajunkie.com/radio).

The bout, which MMAFighting.com first reported earlier today, takes place Dec. 8 at Seattle’s KeyArena. With the FOX-televised main card already set, Edwards vs. Cholish is expected to be part of the prelims on FUEL TV.

Edwards, of course, was slated to fight Stephens this past weekend at UFC on FX 5. However, Stephens was arrested in Minneapolis on the morning of the fight due to an outstanding warrant for a 2011 assault charge in Iowa. He’s expected to remain in jail until an Oct. 23 court date.

Edwards said he intentionally blocked out rumors of Stephens’ arrest until he got to the arena. However, UFC officials told him they planned for the preliminary-card fight to go on as planned – all the way up to the final round of the night’s co-headliner. However, once the order of fights started getting shuffled, he figured Stephens’ availability was in jeopardy, though he didn’t get confirmation he wouldn’t be fighting until the event was nearly over.

In fact, Edwards said with just a few more hours’ notice, he would have happily fought Thiago Tavares, whose original opponent, Dennis Hallman, also dropped off the card for personal reasons shortly after weigh-ins.

“I prepared for the fight for eight weeks, and I was ready on fight night,” Edwards said. “I was just trying to make the best of the worst.”

Edwards ultimately got paid his show money, and he appreciates that. But he said he still feels like he took a hit.

“I was paid what I would have got if I lost, but I wouldn’t have lost,” he said. “I’m not complaining about the UFC as far as that goes. It was nice to get paid something. But I really would have just won the fight.”

Initially, before they recently came to Edwards with the Cholish matchup, UFC officials pitched him Tavares at UFC on FOX 5, but the bout never materialized.

So as the Stephens and Tavares ships sail, Edwards is focused on Cholish, whom he calls “as dangerous” as any other fighter in the UFC’s deep lightweight division. Cholish had won eight straight fights, including his UFC debut with Mitch Clarke, before a decision loss to Danny Castillo in May.

Edwards, who was on a 4-1 run before a December loss to Tony Ferguson, likes the matchup and will turn his focus to it, but he wishes the best for Stephens.

“I really like him,” Edwards said. “Any interaction I’ve had with him, he’s been a good guy. I’ve been to his house. I want the best for him.”

MMAjunkie.com Radio broadcasts Monday-Friday at noon ET (9 a.m. PT) live from Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino’s Race & Sports Book. The show is hosted by “Gorgeous” George Garcia, MMAjunkie.com lead staff reporter John Morgan and producer Brian “Goze” Garcia. For more information or to download past episodes, go to www.mmajunkie.com/radio.

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